Sarah Mitchell
Mexico has the second-largest Catholic population in the world, with around 78% of the population identifying as Catholic according to the 2020 census. This equates to approximately 97,864,220 Catholics. While Catholicism is still Mexico's primary religion, its dominance has been steadily declining over the last century, with the growth of other Christian denominations such as various Protestant churches, Jehovah's Witness, and Mormonism. Mexico remains a highly religious country, with only 8.2% of the population reporting that they had no religion at all in 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Mexico's population that is Catholic | 77.7% (2020 census), 78% (2020 census), 77.8% (2020), 81% (2014), 82.7% (2010) |
| Number of Catholics in Mexico | 97,864,220 (2020 census) |
| Mexico's ranking in number of Catholics | 2nd largest Catholic population in the world |
| Percentage of Mexicans who attend church daily | 3% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who attend church at least once a week | 44% |
| Percentage of Mexicans with no religion | 8.2% (2020 census), 4.7% (2010 census), 8.1% (2020 census) |
| Percentage of Mexicans who practice a religion not otherwise specified | 2.5% (2020 census) |
| Percentage of Mexicans who are Protestant | 11.2% (2020), 11% (2020 census), 9% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is Mexico's primary religion
The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. During this period, the Church made significant efforts to evangelize the indigenous population, which was a priority for the Spanish crown. After Mexico gained independence in 1821, the Catholic Church maintained its privileged status as the official and unique religion of the country. However, in the mid-19th century, Mexican liberals curtailed the exclusive standing of the Church, and Protestant missionaries were allowed to legally evangelize in the country.
Despite the decline in its dominance, Catholicism continues to permeate Mexico's physical and cultural landscape. From roadside shrines and spectacular cathedrals to traditional Catholic Holy Week processions and the syncretic celebration of the Day of the Dead, religion is deeply embedded in the country. Mexico remains a highly religious country, with only 8.2% of the population reporting no religion at all in the 2020 census.
The Mexican Catholic Church is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and his Curia in Rome. The country is divided into 18 Ecclesiastical provinces, containing a total of 90 dioceses, with 15,700 diocesan priests and 46,000 men and women in religious orders. While the Catholic Church in Mexico has experienced a decline in influence and membership, it still plays a significant role in the country's culture and society.
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Atheism and irreligion are complex to measure
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico, with around 78% of the population practising it as of the 2020 census. This is a decline from 82.7% in 2010 and 99% in 1910. While Mexico remains a highly religious country, atheism and irreligion are complex to measure.
Firstly, the concepts of "religious" and "secular" are not necessarily rooted in all cultures, and the definition of "religion" itself is not universally agreed upon, even within the social sciences. This makes it challenging to measure atheism and irreligion accurately across different societies.
Secondly, there is a distinction between being unaffiliated with a religion and lacking a belief in a deity. In global studies, the number of people without a religion is often higher than those without a belief in a deity. This distinction is important when trying to measure atheism and irreligion.
Thirdly, in many countries, censuses and surveys do not separate atheists, agnostics, and those responding "nothing in particular" as distinct populations. This obscures the differences between these groups and makes it challenging to measure atheism and irreligion accurately.
Fourthly, social and cultural factors can influence how individuals self-identify in terms of religion. For example, some atheists may disassociate themselves from atheism due to negative perceptions or pressure from family and peers. Additionally, in cultures with deep-seated religious roots, individuals who identify as non-religious may still hold religious beliefs or practices, blurring the boundaries of atheism and irreligion.
Finally, the growth of atheist groups is typically limited because atheists are often "non-joiners". As a result, the majority of nonreligious individuals do not join secular groups, making it challenging to measure the prevalence of atheism and irreligion through group memberships or affiliations.
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Catholicism is in decline
Catholicism is the predominant religion in Mexico, with around 78% of the population practising the faith, according to the 2020 census. However, this figure represents a decline from previous decades. In 2000, 82.7% of Mexicans identified as Catholic, and in 1970, the figure was as high as 96%. This decrease is part of a broader trend across Latin America, where the proportion of Catholics has fallen from 90% in the 1960s to 69% in 2014.
Mexico's religious landscape is changing, with the growth of other Christian denominations, including various Protestant churches, Jehovah's Witness and Mormonism. In 2020, Protestants made up 11.2% of the population, up from 0.9% in 1940. The number of non-believers is also increasing, with 10.6% of Mexicans identifying as non-religious in 2020, compared to 0% in 1950.
The decline in Catholicism is less pronounced in Mexico compared to some other Central American countries. Mexico remains a highly religious country, with 91.3% of the population identifying as Christian. Central Mexico is one of the most Catholic areas in the world, and the country is home to one of the largest Catholic populations globally. However, the growth of other religious groups, such as Protestant evangelicals and Mormons, as well as secularism, is consistent with trends seen elsewhere in Latin America.
While the majority of Mexicans identify as Catholic, there is diversity in religious beliefs and practices within the country. For example, in mid-sized cities with 100,000 to 250,000 inhabitants, there is a significant presence of non-religious groups, with the proportion of non-religious people being higher than the national average. Additionally, while Mexican Catholics largely hold traditional views on certain moral issues, such as homosexuality, there is a growing divergence from Catholic doctrine on other issues, such as contraception and divorce, which are supported by a majority of Mexican Catholics.
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Mexico is a secular country
Catholicism has a long history in Mexico, dating back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. At the time of Mexican independence, the Catholic Church was the only permissible church in the country. However, in the mid-19th century, Mexican liberals curtailed the exclusive standing of the church, allowing Protestant missionaries, mainly from the United States, to legally evangelize in Mexico. This marked the beginning of a decline in the dominance of Catholicism, as other Christian denominations started to gain a foothold in the country.
In the 20th century, Eastern Catholic jurisdictions were established in Mexico, coinciding with an influx of immigration from the Middle East. The growth of Protestantism was particularly notable in the 1980s, when alternative branches of Christianity gained traction in Mexico's economically marginalized southern states. In recent years, there has also been a rise in the number of Mexicans practicing folk religions such as Mexicayotl, as well as an increase in the Muslim population, particularly among indigenous groups in Chiapas.
Despite the decline in Catholicism, Mexico remains a highly religious country. The Constitution guarantees the right of individuals to follow any religion of their choosing, or none at all. It is worth noting that irreligion and atheism in Mexico can be complex to measure, as many Catholics and Protestants lead secular lives. The National Census in 2010 reported 4.7% of the population as having no religion, while the 2020 census showed that 8.2% of Mexicans said they had no religion, equivalent to 10.2 million people.
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Religious freedom is protected by the Constitution
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico, with around 78% of the population identifying as Catholic as of the 2020 census. Mexico has allowed freedom of religion since the mid-19th century, and the Constitution of Mexico and other laws establish and protect this freedom. The constitution declares Mexico a secular state and stipulates that freedom of thought, conscience, and religious belief may not be restricted or suspended. Congress may not establish or prohibit any religion through legislation.
The constitution also protects the right of indigenous communities to autonomy, including the right to practice their own "uses and customs," provided that these practices do not conflict with human rights provisions in the constitution and international treaties to which Mexico is a signatory. This right of self-governance for indigenous communities may sometimes conflict with the freedom of religion for members of those communities.
The constitution guarantees the right of all individuals to follow or adopt a religion of their choosing, or to choose not to follow a religion. This freedom includes the right to participate in religious ceremonies and acts of worship, both individually and collectively, in public and in private, as long as these activities do not constitute an offense prohibited by law. Religious instruction is prohibited in public schools, but religious groups are permitted to maintain private schools.
While Mexico protects religious freedom, there are some restrictions. Active clergy may not hold public office, advocate for partisan political views, support political candidates, or publicly oppose state laws or institutions. Religious ceremonies conducted outside of places of worship are subject to regulatory law and require a permit. Additionally, the separation of church and state is upheld, as seen in the SEGOB's warning against religious associations intervening in partisan politics ahead of the June 2022 legislative elections.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2020 census, around 78% of Mexicans identify as Catholic.
The 2020 census reported that Mexico had approximately 97,864,220 Catholics.
The percentage of Catholics in Mexico has been declining over the last century. In 1910, 99% of Mexicans were Catholic, compared to 77.7% in 2020.
Yes, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center report, 81% of Mexicans identify as Catholic, compared to 61% of Mexican Americans.
In 2020, ten Mexican states had less than 75% of the population identifying as Catholic, including Chiapas, Tabasco, Baja California, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Morelos, and Yucatán.
